Chapter 21
After that brief moment of indulgence, the following days were consumed by relentless training.
If the investment Ersivan had spoken of truly meant honing her swordsmanship talent, then he was certainly proving his commitment—demanding grueling training day after day.
“Try again.”
As expected, today was no different.
She had lost count of how many times he had repeated those words. Without even the chance to wallow in frustration over her poor results, Diana once again lifted her sword.
“You have done it thirty-two times so far. Only sixty-eight more to go.”
“…May I assume you are joking?”
“How could I dare make light of learning?”
Diana looked utterly appalled at his response. She had never been fond of his teasing, but this time, she desperately hoped he was jesting.
His so-called mere thirty-two times had already taken over an hour. If she were to repeat it twice more, it would take at least three hours in total.
“You’re ruthless.”
“I hear that quite often.”
“No, you are truly ruthless.”
“You are more than capable, so why complain? It is merely unnecessary whining.”
With a warm and affable tone, Ersivan consoled her.
Then, ever so naturally, he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
The cold touch of his fingers, the gentleness of his hand—he was clearly trying to soften her resolve.
No, she couldn’t fall for it. She mustn’t.
Snapping herself back to reality, Diana pushed forward with her complaint.
“Whining? If it weren’t genuinely difficult, I wouldn’t even bring it up. It wouldn’t be so frustrating if I were actually improving, but I’m still stuck in place…”
“And how long has it been since you started learning? You are being impatient.”
“Were you this stagnant when you first started, Evan?”
Perhaps to spare her pride, he did not answer.
Of course, he wouldn’t. A man like him, the protagonist of the world, would never have struggled.
Ersivan had begun training in swordsmanship at the age of two, when he had barely mastered walking. Within a mere week, he had grasped the fundamentals. Before his first year of training was complete, he had already learned advanced techniques.
His talent flourished rapidly, and at the mere age of eight, he had been bestowed the honorary title of Sir by the Imperial Family.
At thirteen, shortly after founding House Valencia upon leaving the palace, he won the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament, earning the admiration of countless knights.
“…If you find it so difficult, why not observe the knight order’s training?”
“I appreciate the suggestion, but I have already tried that. Unfortunately, they are far too skilled for me to learn anything just by watching.”
Diana had already been given the opportunity to train alongside the knights of House Valencia.
However, they were so far beyond her level that, rather than learning, she could only marvel at their prowess.
“Then, would you like to visit the town?”
“The town?”
“Did I not promise to take you there once? I thought perhaps we could make the trip beneficial to your training.”
“It is a good idea, but is there anything there I can actually learn?”
“The ones you will observe are mere apprentices training to join the Imperial Knights. Their skills are not extraordinary, so you should be able to analyze them with ease.”
Diana eagerly nodded.
The shift in her demeanor was almost amusing—just moments ago, she had been utterly dejected, yet now, she was brimming with excitement.
It was enough to stir Ersivan’s mischievous streak.
“Well then. Let us finish the remaining sixty-eight repetitions before we depart.”
“…Pardon?”
As expected, she reacted exactly as he had hoped.
Her gaze drifted down to the sword she had momentarily let drop to the ground.
She had only just regained her sense of happiness, yet now, her large eyes grew disheartened once more.
“But…”
“Training is training.”
“I know, but…”
It was true that the training was exhausting, but her greater concern was whether they would have enough time left to visit the town.
“…Evan.”
“Yes?”
“Just for today… can’t we make an exception?”
“Whatever do you mean? Ah, surely you are not suggesting we skip training?”
Naturally, Ersivan—ever so devoted to discipline—would not grant such leniency.
Feeling desperate, Diana decided to use her final tactic.
She looked up at him with the most pitiful expression she could muster.
It was a trick that Hyde, the butler, had once whispered to her in secret—something to be used when she truly needed Ersivan to grant her a favor.
Almost immediately, Ersivan let out a soft, indulgent sigh as he leaned back.
“Very well. If you insist, then I suppose it would be virtuous of me to let this slide.”
Truth be told, Diana had doubted whether such a childish tactic would work.
And yet, Ersivan had given in so easily.
“Thank you, Evan!”
“This place feels rather unfamiliar, Evan.”
“And yet, you remain as radiant as ever.”
“If you put it that way, it makes me feel rather embarrassed for trying to tease you.”
Ersivan gave no verbal reply, only narrowing his eyes slightly—a silent acknowledgment that she had guessed correctly.
The two had deliberately dressed in simple clothing. There was no benefit in revealing their status while observing the training.
“Lily, may I have a moment of your attention?”
Diana, who had been peering out of the window to check their appearance, turned as Ersivan called her over.
“I believe a slight change in your appearance is necessary.”
“My face?”
He nodded.
“Unless… do I look too shabby?”
Diana hesitated, suddenly anxious that her current appearance might resemble the wretched state of her past.
“Lily, why did we dress like this in the first place?”
“Well… because we didn’t want to cause any trouble.”
“Then wouldn’t altering your appearance serve the same purpose?”
“Uh…”
“In that case, the change should be the exact opposite, don’t you think?”
Simply removing accessories and wearing plain clothing wouldn’t be enough to conceal one’s essence. Even if she donned rags, it wouldn’t make much of a difference.
Realizing she had gotten ahead of herself, Diana felt slightly embarrassed and refrained from adding any further unnecessary remarks.
“So, what exactly are you changing?”
“Nothing drastic. I thought I’d darken your hair a little—to make you stand out less.”
Though it was a common color, Diana’s hair had a peculiar way of drawing people’s attention.
Ersivan ran his fingers lightly through her locks before uttering a brief incantation.
Perhaps it was because she had always seen him wielding a sword, but hearing him speak in a foreign tongue felt strangely unfamiliar.
“You know magic?”
“Yes. Just the basics. It’s done now. Would you like to check?”
At his words, Diana immediately turned toward the window.
Her once-bright hair was now as dark as Ersivan’s.
Just as she was about to ask for a mirror to confirm the change, his fingers moved again—this time toward her eyes.
A sharp, tingling sensation followed. She instinctively knew that the same magic had been cast on her irises.
Fortunately, there was a small hand mirror beside her. Diana picked it up and examined her reflection.
Her eyes were now a brilliant gold, like sunlight on a summer’s day.
“They contrast each other quite starkly.”
“…Indeed. Yet, they suit you well.”
Ersivan, who had finally met her gaze, looked unexpectedly unsettled.
Diana tilted her head. Was it possible that the colors didn’t suit her after all?
I thought it looked fine.
Raven-black hair, like the very essence of darkness, paired with luminous golden eyes that seemed to illuminate the night.
The two opposing shades intertwined so naturally that she could almost believe someone like this truly existed.
“Really?”
She narrowed her eyes as she asked, purely intending to tease him.
Just as he often toyed with her, she wanted to return the favor.
“Yes.”
“…?”
“More than anything… it suits you perfectly.”
What had started as a playful taunt had suddenly taken an unexpected turn.
Ersivan, in an instant, appeared fragile—like a delicate piece of glass that might shatter at the slightest touch.
Sensing something was amiss, Diana pressed her lips together. A heavy silence filled the carriage.
Before long, they arrived at their destination. The moment called for conversation, for the stillness between them had lasted long enough.
Diana hesitated before rising from her seat first.
Stepping down onto the carriage’s first step, she paused and glanced back.
Her eyes met Ersivan’s. Perhaps startled by the sudden exchange, he visibly stiffened—a rare reaction from him.
“Shall we?”
She extended her small hand toward him, as if urging him to take it.
“It occurred to me that leaving a lady waiting is hardly a virtue. Perhaps among common folk, such manners are overlooked, but surely, Evan, you wouldn’t go against propriety, would you?”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m asking you to hurry and step out with me. I have so many questions, and one day won’t be enough to satisfy them all.”
Feigning urgency, she looked at him expectantly.
Ersivan, who had been silent for some time, finally relaxed. His lips curved into a soft smile, and soon, he let out a quiet chuckle.
“Yes. I suppose every second will feel too short for you.”
Taking her hand firmly, he followed her down the steps.
For once, the roles had reversed—Diana leading as the gentleman, and Ersivan trailing as the lady.
The moment they descended the final step and their feet met solid ground, Ersivan lifted his gaze toward the sky.
Then, he smiled—radiantly.
It was unlike any expression Diana had ever seen from him.
It was not the sly, enigmatic grin he often wore to bewitch others.
Nor was it the polite, composed smile he used as a social courtesy.
No, this was something entirely different—pure, unguarded, and childlike in its sincerity.
A smile she never imagined he was capable of.
